When we do the Lights Out Baltimore! monitoring in downtown Baltimore  
during spring and fall migration, we frequently find the cleanly  
severed heads of birds.  This is the work of the Pergrines that reside  
in the buildings downtown.  Once in awhile we also find the body that  
belongs to the head, but mostly just heads.  The common victims are  
American Woodcocks and Flickers, but we also have found Yellow-billed  
Cuckoo and Blue Jay heads, and probably others that I have forgotten.

So I would suspect a raptor of some sort.

Joan Cwi


On Jun 15, 2010, at 12:08 AM, Dan Haas wrote:

> I took my dad and son out for a kayak adventure yesterday morning.
> Yes, three whole generations of Haas' paddled the Severn River on
> Sunday.
>
> As I was unlocking the boats from my rack on the side of the house, I
> found a cleanly decapitated head of a Carolina Wren.  After this past
> winter's decimation of the local population, it was a sad sight to see
> indeed.  It got me wondering who the predator might be?  Not to be too
> disgusting, but would a cat do such a clean job of removing the head?
> An owl perhaps, or maybe a raptor? If anyone has any insight...
>
> Back to the kayaking adventure...
> -a pair of Tree Swallows have taken up residence in the Purple Martin
> gourd house that I installed a few years back on our creek. No PUMA's
> though...
> -only one GB Heron observed all morning.  Last year, there were
> typically 3 or 4 on the shores of Weems Creek. A slight decrease this
> year perhaps?
> -the Peregrine Falcons were on the big bridge, facing each other from
> opposing piers, both taking turns screaming.  Sadly, they failed to
> hatch any of the 5 eggs laid (in the worst spots) on the bridge. The
> nest box will soon be moved by USFWS to where the falcons would
> obviously prefer it to be.
> -a few dozen Barn Swallows at various points around the docks on the  
> creek.
> -two Eastern Bluebirds on the only open grassy, open area on the
> creek. Possible breeders.
> -a molting / HY Coopers Hawk buzzed over West Annapolis ES as I was
> lugging the kayaks back home.
> -the regular dozen or more West Annapolis Chimney Swifts fed overhead
> all morning.
> -have yet to see the Black-crowned Night Herons or Northern
> Rough-winged Swallows, but then again, we didn't venture over to where
> I typically find these birds.
> -my son Declan thoroughly enjoyed the many Mallards, both young and
> old, obliging him with close up views.
>
> While spreading some mulch this evening, two fledgling Song Sparrows
> were happily helping me in the yard.
>
> Finally, I did not hear any Blackburnian Warblers singing from the
> tall conifers across the street. But, after learning of Marshall's
> Annapolis find this morning, I'll keep an open eye / ear. ; )
>
> Good Birding,
>
> Dan Haas
> West Annapolis, MD
>